The Cuban economy has in the service sector one of its main components; and tourism is an area that shows a very dynamic growth thanks to the strategy implemented by the authorities.

The official policy aims at making the best use of the traditional sun and beach offers, together with options of increasing tourist demand like nature, health, congress and conventions, history and heritage.

Havana, a city with five centuries of history, has emblematic institutions that concentrate a significant part of the island’s traditions.

One of these institutions, the Inglaterra Hotel, opened on December 23, 1875 and named after England, the main world power of those times, is regarded as one of the best hotels in the world, after being reconstructed in 1886.

The building, declared as National Monument and located in an important area of the so-called Old Havana, has a neoclassic style with elements that provide a touch of singularity like the tiles from Alicante and the wrought-iron grilles specially brought from Seville, Spain.

Likewise, the National Hotel, with seven decades of history in the tourist business, is considered a classic institution in Cuba, supported by a privileged location from where the Havana’s Melecón (seafront) can be enjoyed.

This facility is also included among the ten Palace hotels in the world, and during the 1930’s and 1950’s was the only five-star hotel in the Caribbean.

The National Capitol is another majestic building that, in other times, was the seat of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Republic.

The U.S. Company Purry and Gendenson was in charge of the construction and the building was opened in May 1929, including emblematic works by the Italian artist Angelo Sanelis.

One of his works is a gold-plated bronze statue, representing the Republic, which is 14 meters high and weighs 30 tons.

As a novelty, the city has added to its tourist potential the facilities of the Terral hotel, which has 14 rooms with a splendid sea view, in a privileged place of Havana.

Meanwhile, eastern Cuba is full of traces from Cuban history that complement unique natural attractions like the renowned Sierra de la Gran Piedra.

In addition, Cuba enjoys the richness of the territories that surround the main island, as is the case of Jardines del Rey (King’s Gardens) where several lodging facilities are located in the keys Coco and Guillermo.

The construction of a causeway allowed the inclusion of the key Santa María (13 kilometers long) in the Cuban tourist industry.

Jardines del Rey and the main island are also joined by a similar construction, which was built in 16 months, including 13 bridges and 17 smaller works to ensure seawater exchange.